Jewel of Triplicane ~ International Cricket Umpire Mr KBR

 

On the concluding day of Vasanthothsavam Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman has purappadu to Besant Road – Vasudevapuram and Nammalwar Street !!

 

My favourite Srinivasan Venkatraghavan scored a 50 and hoisted Peter Petherick for a Six.  Petherick had just taken a hat-trick on debut at Pakistan and sixers were rare to come by in any test – 50 years ago !! 

Life has changed – yesterday at Mullanpur - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, a 15 year old kid was the cynosure of all  eyes – in almost a week – he has missed century 3 times and a knock of 96 off 47 with 8 fours and 7 sixers was perhaps his slower one.  Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a free-spirited prodigy, yet  curbed some of his natural instincts, dug deep, and problem-solved, waiting to hit  his slowest half-century, though it still only took him 31 balls. He spent almost 18 overs at the crease, the deepest he has gone into a T20 innings.  His season ended with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30.

 

This is a post about a Nonagenarian who is closing on a Century  - the Six hit of Venkat referred to the 3^rd Test at Chennai in Nov 1976 against the visiting New Zealand and this respectable Triplicanite who lived early in Thavana Uthsav bungalow and now in Nammalwar Street, off Besant Road, Triplicane made his debut.    

Sri KB Ramaswamy was born on 20^th Feb 1929, started his International Umpiring career at Chepauk in 1976 – stood in 8 Test matches between 1976-1983 and also officiated in two ODI games in 1982 (incidentally India winning both – Krishnamachari Srikkanth hitting 92 in one !)   

Like most Triplicanites, he studied in the famous ‘The Hindu High School’ and Loyola college and naturally attracted to Cricket climbed the ladder becoming a Ranji Umpire and later an International Umpire. He officiated in the high profile Delhi v Bombay (Bedi v Gavaskar) Ranji final, the Irani Trophy and 8 test matches  at a time when matches were to less and being at the centre was very tough.    

Kondathur Bashyam Ramaswamy’s forefathers hailed from a small village near Chengalpattu, joined British firm Best & Crompton Engineering in the accounts division as an assistant clerk in the late 1940s. While he played a bit of league cricket for Crombest, he did not make a big mark as a player and hence moved into Umpiring and passed the examination in the 1950s.  At a fee of Rs. 2 per day, he began umpiring lower division league matches in Madras and then over a period of time graduated to the first division.   

Mr Prabhu (himself an Umpire and regular blogger) [https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2022/12/kb-ramaswamy-test-umpire.html] records that it was an emergency call in 19786.  Umpire Sharma could not make it from Delhi. After the first day’s play was washed out, Gothaskar fell ill on the 2nd morning and KBR was called to officiate in a match that had Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Bishan Bedi, Venkat, Chandra among others in Indian side – the big names in Kiwi being Glenn Turner, John Parker, Geoff Howarth, Lance Cairns and .. Richard Hadlee.    In 1978 he officiated in couple of matches when West Indies under Alwin Kalicharran toured India.    

In a test at Bengalure he no balled fiery Rodney Hogg for overstepping multiple times and an annoyed Hogg kicked the stumps – KBR stood firm, and at his insistence Captain Kim Hughes made the bowler rearrange.  In 1983 at Ahmedabad test – Clive Lloyd fearing a loss abused Umpires KBR and Hanumatha Rao. 

 

On May 25, 2026 – day 7 of Vasanthothsavam – Sri Parthasarathi Perumal had purappadu in kuthirai vahanam, after Vasantha uthsava bungalow, had purappadu through Besant road, visiting Vasudevapuram and Nammalwar street – and this man at 97 physically strong prayed Emperuman and received honours.  Spoke a couple of words to him at that time and next day saw him at temple too  - a man who had officiated in matches involving biggest of International players – Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall,  Imran Khan, Kim Hughes and more !!

 

Statistically,   Bishansingh Bedi was the captain at Chepauk.  Glenn Turner was the Captain for the visitors.  It was Test no. 787 – a 6 day match between 26th Nov to 2nd Dec 1976.   On the first day, no play was possible due to rain and 29th Nov was the scheduled rest day.  That match is well remembered for the good performance by gentleman and most intelligent - Srinivasan Venkatraghavan.   From 181/7  India went on to make 298 thanks to a fluent 64 by Venkat who hit 4 boundaries and a six.   Gundappa Vishwanath made 87 like the many good innings he had played at Chepauk and Kirmani made 44. 

There was some resistance from Glenn Turner and Mark Burgess but Kiwis were bundled for 140 with Bedi taking 5 for 48; Chandra 3 for 28 & Karsan Ghavri 2 for 32.  India batted on the 5th day scored slowly making 201 for 5 with contributions from Gavaskar, Mohinder and Brijesh Patel.  Richard Hadlee who summitted greater heights later in his career was involved in an unsavoury incident  of throwing the ball at the square-leg umpire after heated argument when an appeal for hit wicket against Gaekwad was turned down. Bedi declared overnight and NZ succumbed without much fight scoring 143 with Bedi taking 4 for 22 and Chandra 3 for 64. 

Interesting !  my respects to Triplicane jewel Mr KB Ramaswamy – wish we are able to attend and celebrate his 100 in a grand manner sooner. 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
30.5.2026

 

 

SYMA Growth students did well !!

 

Repost of 2016

 

posters have existed for centuries and TN has a history of posters - glamorous and political... this one is daringly different - has photos of 27 performers - of SYMA Growth students who excelled in +2 and X exams ... SYMA heartily thanks all our patrons and well-wishers :

https://www.sampspeak.in/2016/05/poster-hailing-good-performance-of-syma.html

Crow Transport ~~ !!

 

This Transport Company wanted a moving picture for their Advt

 

In my photo a real Crow is transporting a twig !!

Jewel of Tamil Nadu walks @ 99 and receives Padma Shri

 

On the day of Elections, it is but common to see people posing showing this fingers having voted !!  - this photo is special – not only because this man is  99 – more so, because he is a great personality .. .. and this week he walked to receive the coveted Padma Shri Award from the President of India.

 

For decades, the Padma Awards were seen as the preserve of the powerful, the connected and the celebrated. Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, that changed. Today, the Padma awards honour grassroots changemakers, tribal artists, folk musicians, social workers, teachers, farmers, environmentalists and unsung heroes who served society quietly for decades without recognition. This is the true democratisation of national honours, where contribution matters more than pedigree, and service matters more than surname.    

The Man of the Post is -  Five time Legislator, twice Health Minister in MGR's Cabinet;  Dr. BC Roy awardee;  translated Kamba Ramayanam in English Prose; authored books and is a Medical practitioner helping under-privileged.  He took part in Quit India Movement during pre university days in Mangalore. The electoral foray began when he contested as an Independent candidate from Graduates Constituency and became a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council in 1964. Thereafter he joined Swatantra Party and was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly from Park Town constituency in the 1967 and 1971 elections

 

The man Dr H.V. Hande -   was Minister of Health (1980-86) twice in 2nd and 3rd Ramachandran ministry. He transformed Public health in Tamil Nadu by bringing down Infant mortality, combating Leprosy, improving Primary health care facilities etc. The Medical Council of India honoured him with Dr. B. C. Roy Award in 1985 for excellence as a Health Minister. Another notable event in his stint was, in 1986 he announced the first HIV/AIDS case in India when reported in a study done at Christian Medical College Vellore.  He played a prominent role in providing health care and subsequent Air lifting of M. G. Ramachandran to Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn in 1984. He ceased to be a legislator with abolition of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council.

 

Dr. HV Hande was born into a Kota Brahmin family as one among the ten children of Dr. H. Venkataramana Hande, a surgeon at Coimbatore. The family had their ancestral roots in Mangalore. He completed his schooling from Nellore, Penukonda and Mangalore and did medical education from Kilpauk Medical College in 1950. He married Shanthi in 1954 and his sons Krishna Hande and Vishwanath Hande are doctors

 

                  Dr. Hande is fluent in several languages, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and English. His oratory, and excellent debating talents and organizational skills, have won for him accolades from such illustrious personages right from Rajaji, Kamaraj,   MGR and others. Dr. Hande's English rendering in prose of KAMBA RAMAYANAM reveals his deep knowledge of Tamil culture and his good command of Tamil and English. He established a hospital and  Dr.Hande continues to practice at Hande Hospital - Shenoy Nagar and in June 2010 he completed 60 continuous years of Clinical Practice. He has been a family Physician for four generations of patients.  

In 1967 standing for Swarantra Party he won Park Town Assembly constituency; it was a nail-baiting finish at Anna Nagar 198o when he was declared lost to M Karunanidhi by a small margin.  In 1989 in a multi-cornered contest he stood in Triplicane Assembly – lost to    Nanjil Manoharan.   

Branching off from  the Poonamallee High Road at Amaindakarai, near Lakshmi talkies, Hande Hospital is a well known medical centre – established and run by Dr Hande. 

 

Dr HV Hande is pride of the Nation and jewel of Tamil Nadu – we admire and feel happy and proud on him being conferred Padma Shri by the Government of India. 

Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.5.2026
@DrHVHande1

Cloth-clips - how many you saw at first sight !!!

Do you live in a City !   Are you among the elite few who see Morning Sun and the Evening Sunset !!  See this photo for a Minute, now tell – how many clips did you see at first sight ?????

 

Don’t get carried away – could be among those who go the terrace, dry clothes, collect them meticulously in the evening !  (daily chores! Of a common man) .. .. .. and if yes, you would have noticed only the Cloth clips, perhaps counted them too – and missed Coppersmith Barbet !!

 

தன் முயற்சியில் சற்றும் தளராத விக்ரமனாக - அனுதினமும் காலை துணிகளை துவைத்து, மாடி வெயிலில்  ,   கிளிப் போட்டு உலரவைத்து, பின்  மாலை, கிளிப்புகளை எண்ணி எடுத்து,  துணிகளை மடித்து வைத்து வேலை செய்யும் வர்க்கத்தினருக்கு சமர்ப்பணை !!!

Pillars of Nagari Hills, on way to Thirumala !

 

Every trip to holy Thirumala is cherished

 

Rock formation on way to Thirumala – natural rock pillars near Nagari Hills are a scenic hill range in the Eastern Ghats 

Taken from a moving vehicle somewhere in 2018, pic refined !!

Jack fruit and Sanga kala pulavar Uraiyur Aenicheri Muda Mosiyaar !!!

பழங்களிலே அற்புதமான இனிய சுவை கொண்டது பலா !  இன்று பலாப்பழம் படத்துடன் கொஞ்சம் தமிழ் !  உறையூர் ஏணிச்சேரி முடமோசியார் என்ற சங்க கால புலவரை அறிவீரா !!

 

ஆய் ஆண்டிரன், கடையெழு வள்ளல்களுள் ஒருவர்,   ஒளி பொருந்திய நீல நிறமுள்ள நச்சரவம் ஒன்று இவருக்கு ஓர் அரிய ஆடையை அளித்ததாம். நாகம் நல்கிய ஒளிமிக்க ஆடையை இவர், ஆலமரத்தின் கீழிருந்த செல்வராகிய சிவபெருமானுக்கு அளித்தாராம்.இதனை இடைக்கழிநாட்டு நல்லூர் நத்தத்தனார் சிறுபாணாற்றுப்படையில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார் 

                      The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), also known as the jack tree, is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family (Moraceae).  The fruits of the tree are so sweet and liked by everyone. 

முக்கனிகளில் இரண்டாவதாய் கருதப்படும் பலாவின் சுவைக்கு ஈடு இணையில்லை. பலாப்பழத்தின் மேல் தோல் கரடுமுரடாக இருந்தாலும், அதன் உட்பகுதியில் இருக்கும் பழம் சுவையாகவும் கண்ணை கவரும் நிறத்திலும் உள்ளது.    பலாவிற்கு பலவு, பலாசம், சக்கை, வருக்கை, ஏகாரவல்லி எனப்  பெயர்கள் உண்டு.  முக்கனிகளில் மிகவும் இனியது பலா.   தமிழ்நாட்டில் பலாப்பழ விளைச்சலில் முதலிடத்தில் இருப்பது கடலூர் மாவட்டம்தான். அதிலும் பண்ருட்டி பலாப்பழம் என்றால் தனிமதிப்புதான் 

ஊர்ப் பொதுவிடத்தில் இருந்த பலாமரத்தின் பெரிய கிளையில் வாழும் மந்தி(குரங்கு) அம்மரத்தில் இரவலர் கட்டியிருந்த முழவினை (மத்தளம்) பலாப்பழம் என்று எண்ணித் தட்டியது. 

மன்றப் பலவின் மாச்சினை மந்தி

இரவலர் நாற்றிய விசிகூடு முழவின்

பாடின் தெண்கண், கனி செத்து, அடிப்பின், 

புறநானூறு 

பாடியவர் : உறையூர் ஏணிச்சேரி முடமோசியார். 

உறையூர் ஏணிச்சேரி முடமோசியார் சங்ககாலத் தமிழ் புலவர்களில் ஒருவர்.  அந்தணர் குலத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்.'ஏணிச்சேரி' என்ற ஊரில் வாழ்ந்தவர், 'மோசி' என்ற இயற்பெயரைக் கொண்டவர். உறுப்புக் குறை (முடவர்) இருந்ததால் இப்பெயர் பெற்றதாக அறியப்படுகிறது. புறநானூறு மற்றும் பிற சங்க இலக்கியங்களில் பல பாடல்களைப் பாடியுள்ளார்.  இவர் சேரமான் அந்துவஞ்சேரல் இரும்பொறை, ஆய் அண்டிரன், மற்றும் சோழன் முடித்தலைக்கோப் பெருநற்கிள்ளி ஆகிய மன்னர்களால் ஆதரிக்கப்பட்டவர்.இவர் பாடிய பாடல்கள் மூலம் அக்கால மன்னர்களின் வீரம், கொடைத்தன்மை, மற்றும் மக்களின் கலாச்சாரத்தை அறிய முடிகிறது.  ஆய் கடையெழு வள்ளல்களுள் ஒருவர். பொதியமலைச் சாரலில் உள்ள ஆய்க்குடியைத் தலைநகராகக் கொண்டு ஆட்சி செய்த மன்னன் ஆவான் . இவரை வேள் ஆய் என்றும் ஆய் ஆண்டிரன் என்றும் வழங்குவர். 

சங்க காலத்தில் சோழர்களின் தலைநகரமாக இருந்த உறையூரின் ஒரு பகுதியாக ‘ஏணிச்சேரி’ என்ற பகுதி விளங்கியது. ‘  தமிழ்நாட்டின் திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி நகரின் மையப்பகுதியில் அமைந்துள்ள உறையூர், சங்ககால முற்காலச் சோழர்களின் வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்புமிக்க தலைநகரம். காவிரியாற்றின் தென்கரையில் அமைந்துள்ள இவ்வூர், பழங்காலத்தில் 'உறந்தை' மற்றும் 'கோழியூர்' என்றும் அழைக்கப்பட்டது.  

புறநானூறு எனும் தொகைநூல் நானூறு பாடல்களைக் கொண்ட புறத்திணை சார்ந்த ஒரு சங்கத் தமிழ் நூல். புறம், புறப்பாட்டு, புறம்பு நானூறு என்றும் வழங்கப்படும். இந் நூற்பாடல்களைப் பாடிய புலவர்கள் எண்ணிக்கை 160.  பாக்களின் அடி வரையறை 4 அடி முதல் 40 அடி வரை உள்ளன. புறநானூற்றின் பாடல்கள் சங்ககாலத்தில் ஆண்ட அரசர்களைப் பற்றியும் மக்களின் சமூக வாழ்க்கை பற்றியும் எடுத்துரைக்கின்றன. 

உறையூர் ஏணிச்சேரி முடமோசியார்   பாடிய பாடல்கள் 13 நமக்குக் கிடைத்துள்ளன. அவை  யாவுமே புறத்திணையைச் சேர்ந்தவை. இவை எட்டுத்தொகை நூல்களுள் ஒன்றான புறநானூற்றுள் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.   ஆய் அண்டிரனை இவர் பாடிய விதத்தைப் பாராட்டி மற்றொரு புலவரான பெருஞ்சித்திரனார் “திருந்து மொழி மோசி பாடிய ஆய்” என்று பாடியுள்ளார்.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
25.5.2026
 

Kuthiraikkaran vilakku - some Science - some Maths !!

 

Sure, you have been to many temples – observed people pouring Oil in lamps hanging from high ceiling … one often wonders, how they hang in good balance – Symmetry, distribution of mass, and some more Scientific reasons come to mind.  

Starting with calculating the weight - there are few things more frustrating than weighing an item twice only to receive two radically different results. One seeks a  precise measurement, and one cannot  trust  digital scale too.

 

Here is a photo of lamp (background edited and colour enriched)  and some Science behind the surprising design – the parts are not symmetric – and it defies imagination on how equilibrium and the mass distribution are designed – how artisans were so Scientific  -  “Kuthiraikkaran Vilakku” (Horseman’s lamp) seen at Padmanabhapuram Palace. 

A lamp hanging on chains stays up because the chain is in tension, and the lamp’s  weight is pulled downward by gravity while the chain pulls upward with an equal and opposite force. When those forces balance, the lamp is in static equilibrium and remains suspended without accelerating.

The important idea is the center of mass. The lamp hangs stably when the vertical line through its center of mass falls below the suspension point, so gravity does not create a turning effect that would make it tip over.

 

If the lamp is shaped like the one in this  photo, the decorative body and the tray are to be precisely arranged  so the whole assembly balances around the hanging point. 

In hanging lamps, the chain is flexible, so each link carries tension along its own direction, and the chain naturally settles into the shape needed to support the load. The hanging shape of a chain is called a catenary (the curve formed by a flexible chain or cable hanging freely under its own weight between two fixed points. Its name derives from catena, the Latin word for "chain"), and its geometry helps distribute force smoothly from the lamp to the ceiling. This is why chains are often used instead of rigid hooks when the design needs some swing or slight adjustment.

 

Catenary pic – Wikipedia By Geek3 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7728690

 

When the hanging lamp is nudged, it may sway like a pendulum, but if the center of mass is low enough and the suspension is properly aligned, gravity tends to pull it back toward the resting position.   

The lamp hangs in balance because its center of mass is arranged so the vertical line of gravity falls through the support point, and the turning effects on either side cancel out. In physics terms, it is in static equilibrium: the net force is zero and the net torque is zero. 

The heavy decorative horse and the lamp tray are not just ornamentation; they are positioned to shift the combined center of mass to a stable point below the chain attachment. When the center of mass hangs directly under the suspension point, gravity creates no twisting tendency, so the lamp does not tip.  When you observe the photo,   the chain is attached above the horse figure, and the lamp bowl is offset but still balanced by the mass distribution of the full hanging assembly. The support point, the horse body, and the tray together form a system where clockwise and counterclockwise torques balance each other. 

It is beautifully positioned as though it is a seesaw that has been carefully weighted so both sides match. Even if the parts look uneven, the object can remain steady as long as the overall center of mass is below the hanging point.  It takes care of both Static equilibrium as also dynamic stability – meaning it is firm at rest and does not fall even when disturbed and is moving.  Only a  well-designed hanging object can be in static equilibrium and also be dynamically stable, because gravity pulls its center of mass back under the suspension point. 

“Kuthiraikkaran vilakku” at  Padmanabhapuram Palace is a  horse-shaped hanging lamp, hailed for its balance and physics.   In this horseman-style lamp, the decorative horse is not just ornamentation; it is part of the mass distribution that helps position the center of gravity correctly. Even though the bowl and horse look visually uneven, the total weight is arranged so the system hangs in static equilibrium.   The lamp’s geometry works like a carefully weighted hanging system.   The horse body acts like a counterweight and also moves the mass distribution away from the bowl. The tray-like lamp part adds weight low down, which helps keep the overall center of gravity beneath the chain attachment, making the system stable. 

Imagine drawing a vertical line straight down from the chain hook. If that line passes through the combined center of mass of the horse, hook, and tray, the lamp stays balanced. If it were to move outside that support region, the lamp would rotate until balance is restored. So the geometry is really a weighted balance problem: the shape is designed so that the center of mass stays under the support point, and that is why the lamp can hang neatly without toppling. 

Padmanabhapuram Palace is a magnificent 16th-century wooden palace located in Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. Notably, while the palace is physically situated in Tamil Nadu, it is owned, controlled, and maintained by the Government of Kerala as it served as the ancient capital of the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. It is widely celebrated as one of Asia's largest and finest surviving examples of traditional wooden architecture

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
24.5.2026

Srirangam Elephant !

 

துரங்கம் வாய் கீண்டு உகந்தானது தொன்மை ஊர்

அரங்கமே என்பது .. .. ..தனக்கு ஆசையே

 

Picture of a beautiful elephant in stone – at Thiruvarangam periya kovil near aayirankaal mandapam.

 

While called the "Thousand Pillar" hall, it structurally features 973 finely carved granite columns. During major annual festivals, the remaining 27 columns are temporarily constructed from sacred wood to complete the symbolic number 1,000.Chariot

 

The entire mandapam base is sculpted to mimic a grand temple chariot (Ratha). The side friezes include realistic stone wheels, caparisoned horses, and processional elephants being guided by mahouts.  Dating back to Vijayanagara Empire, the hall is designed like a planned theatre with a wide central aisle intersected by symmetric side transepts.

 

Venus over Triplicane Rajagopuram

 

Nightflight to Venis

Way out there in space

Nightflight to Vee n  uus !!

Our new fav'right place 

 

A picture of Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi Perumal Rajagopuram taken on 19.5.2026 at around 18.56 hours ! – the light flare and colour edited to make this appear as it is now.  

On the evening of 19 May 2026, a very thin crescent Moon appeared close to Venus in the western sky and was widely reported as a striking conjunction visible all over India after sunset. Astronomy forecasts for that date mention the Moon passing near Venus on 18–19 May, with Jupiter also in the same general area but fainter and higher, making the brightest object near the Moon in the early evening unmistakably Venus.  

Perplexity search states that in this   image, the bright point of light just below‑left of the Moon matches exactly where Venus would appear: low in the west, near a slim crescent Moon, shortly after sunset from Chennai.  The “spray” or flare pattern above the Gopuram and around the lights is lens flare and scattering caused by strong point light sources (the decorative and flood lights) shining directly into the camera lens. This is common in night photos where bright lights are in or near the frame.  

Multiple internal reflections between the glass elements of   phone lens create radial streaks and ghost images, especially when the lens is slightly dusty or has micro‑scratches. The small secondary “moon” closer to the top of the gopuram is also a lens‑flare ghost of the real Moon, produced by the same internal reflections when you have a very bright object against a dark sky.  

Venus, the second planet from the sun, is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty and is the only planet named after a female. Venus may have been named after the most beautiful deity of the pantheon because it shone the brightest among the five planets known to ancient astronomers.  

The words  at the start are the lyrics of a famous Album released in 1978 by Boney M.  Nightflight to Venus is the third studio album by Euro-Caribbean group Boney M., and became a major success in continental Europe, Scandinavia, and Canada, topping most of the album charts during the second half of 1978 and also became their first UK number one album. In Canada, it received a nomination for a 1980 Juno Award in a category 'International Album of the Year'. Nightflight to Venus includes the worldwide hits "Rivers of Babylon" and "Brown Girl in the Ring", a double A-sided single that topped the UK singles chart and has sold over 2 million copies there.  The follow-up was another Boney M. classic, "Rasputin”.

 

Interesting !  - any comments !!
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
23.5.2026

Angry man !! ~ “சினம் தாங்கின் மனிதன்;"

 

How angry are you !! – are there any index to say – good anger, bad anger, highly angry .. .. !!  ‘Anger is one word short of Danger” and it destroys you !! 

“சினம் தாங்கின் மனிதன்; சினத்தால் வீழ்ந்தால் மனிதன் இல்லை.” 

There are some who are angry, frustrated – yes, things are not alright everywhere, there are malaises in the society but what purpose is served in being angry, make some hate posts in social media, early in the morning, mid afternoon, evening and before going to sleep !!! 

Anger is a strong, intense emotion that arises when you feel threatened, blocked from a goal, or treated unfairly. It is considered one of the basic human emotions, alongside happiness, sadness, fear, and disgust. Anger usually brings feelings of irritation, frustration, or rage, often along with physical signs like faster heartbeat, muscle tension, or a rise in body temperature. Subjectively, it can feel like “heat” inside, a desire to yell, argue, retaliate, or make someone “get out of my way.” 

Making life simple leads to happiness -  ~ the key to peaceful living is reduction (if not elimination) of conflicts .. .. [quote of the day of Swami Summa(r] Anandha] 

Ever played the game “Angry Birds” – it was a very big hit as it allowed people express their emotions.  The characters are very simple: round, brightly colored birds with exaggerated angry faces, making them easy to recognize and remember.   The “concept” is a simple, cartoony game idea built around a flock of birds who are angry because green pigs have stolen their eggs. 

Here is something on what Thiruvalluvar has to say on the need to control anger !! 

 

ஒருவன் தன்னைக் காக்க விரும்பினால் சினம் எழாமல் காத்துக் கொள்க;  திருவள்ளுவர் திருக்குறளில் "வெகுளாமை" என்ற அதிகாரத்தில் சினம் அடக்குதலின் அவசியத்தை மிக ஆழமாக விளக்கியுள்ளார். சினம் (கோபம்) தன்னைத்தானே அழிக்கும் நெருப்பு என்றும், அதனைத் தடுத்துக் காப்பவரே உண்மையான அறிவாளி என்றும் அவர் கூறுகிறார்.

 

தன்னைத்தான் காக்கின் சினங்காக்க காவாக்கால்

தன்னையே கொல்லுஞ் சினம்

 

தன்னை காத்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்றால் ஒருவன் அவனுடைய சினத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்த வேண்டும். ஆனால் அப்படி ஒருவர் தன்னுடைய சினத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்தவில்லையென்றால் அச்சினம் அவரையே வதைக்கும் / துன்பப்படுத்தும். ஏன் எனில் சினம் என்பது நெருப்பு. அது நம்முள் வெம்மையினை உமிழ்ந்துக்கொண்டே இருக்கும். அது நமது மன நலத்தை சீர் குலைக்கும் மகிழ்ச்சி சென்றுவிடும். நமது உடலுக்கும் கேடு விளைவிக்கும். கோபம் நம்மை ஒரு பதற்ற நிலையில் வைக்கும். அந்த நெருப்பு தனிவதும் கடினம். மேலும் கோபம் நம் முடிவு எடுக்கும் ஆற்றலை குலைத்து விடும். நாம் விளைவுகளை எண்ணாது தவறான முடிவுகளை எடுப்போம்.

 

Here is a raging goat ! – about to bang its head – not sure of what could be impact but for sure, it hurts itself in the process.  Control Anger

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar

22.5.2026

flowerhorn fish !!

 

Expressions !! flowerhorn fish !!

 

May not look beautiful ! - yet it costs a few thousands !  Flowerhorn fish are sold at high prices not because most people find them “pretty” in the usual sense, but because of symbolism, rarity, and status, even though many hobbyists consider them ugly.   In many Asian cultures   flowerhorns are associated with good luck, wealth, and prosperity.

remembering our Ex-PM Rajiv Gandhi

 

Do you recognize this memorial !!

 

The night of 21st May 1991 changed it all ~ on a campaign trail, Rajiv Gandhi arrived from Vizag, garlanded Nehru at Kathipara, even the Press chose not to travel along for that meeting at Sriperumpudur – and rest is bloody history – the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

 

Nation sadly remembers and pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi and the innocents killed on this day

 

21.5.2026

interesting political debate of Assam

 

A picture of Election analysis, exactly 10 years ago ! posted by me rekindled my memories.

 

Just as a clue it is about a famous person now – whose book “Samagar Samay” – (the time has come) a distinguished literary contribution reflecting the socio-economic and political life of a NE State was a big hit !! 

A decade ago, the  Assam Legislative Assembly Election of 2016 was held in two phases, on 4 and 11 April 2016, to elect members of the 126 constituencies in Assam, a state in North-eastern India.  The overall voter turnout was 84.72%, which set a new record for Assam.  The turnout was an increase from the 2011 Assembly election figure of 75%. 

The counting of votes and results declaration was completed on 19 May 2016. The election brought a change of power as the Indian National Congress (INC), which had formed the government under Tarun Gogoi since 2001, lost its majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Sarbananda Sonowal. Sonowal became the first elected BJP chief minister in the Northeast, and his victory marked the start of other BJP victories in the Northeast, a region traditionally ruled by regional parties or the INC. 

                        I loved watching Arnab show @ 8 pm not necessarily because he marvelled at the decimation of Congress in Assam, but more because of the poise, glamour and respectability of the show and how the participants behaved – a real object lesson. 

At 8 pm, Arnab had Mr Tarun Gogoi and Mr Himanta Biswa Sharma on the show, stating that he knows both of them for ages, but never had them together on show, they in recent past were so much together.  First full credit to Mr Gogoi. Tarun Gogoi has served as the Chief Minister of Assam since 2001 having led Congress party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam. He completed 15 consecutive years as Chief Minister of Assam  the day before. !!!  Gogoi was born in  1934 into an ethnic Assamese Tai-Ahom family at Rangajan Tea Estate.  Gogoi had served six terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha. He first represented Jorhat in 1971–85. Later Gogoi was elected from Kaliabor; this  seat is currently held by his son Gaurav Gogoi.

 

Himanta Biswa Sarma who too was on show had served as MLA from the Jalukbari constituency in Assam from 2001 till 2015. A former member of the Indian National Congress, Dr Sarma joined Bharatiya Janata Party prior to elections.    Dr. Sarma’s Book “Samagat Samay” is  reportedly one of the bestselling books in the literary history of Assam. His tenure as a health minister saw the establishment of Assam’s first medical university and the opening of three new medical colleges.

 

That man Himanta Biswa Sharma has grown from strength to strength and in stature.  Jalukbari Assembly constituency is one of the 126 assembly constituencies of Assam state and forms part of Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency.  The Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has won Jalukbari constituency for five consecutive terms, thrice with Indian National Congress and twice with Bharatiya Janata Party. Gauhati University, Assam Engineering College, Assam Science and Technology University (ASTU) Government Ayurvedic College, Jalukbari Sanskrit School are some of the educational institutions located in Jalukbari. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati is situated at around 8 km away from Jalukbari.  National Highway 31 passes through Saraighat Bridge in Jalukbari. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's Samadhi Khetra is situated at Jalukbari   

Himanta Biswa Sarma 57 years of age is a seasoned  politician and lawyer serving as the 15th and the current Chief Minister of Assam since 2021.   He is a six time Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari, having been elected since 2001. 

Since 1946, Assam has had 17 chief ministers. Ten of them belonged to the Indian National Congress, including Gopinath Bordoloi, the first chief minister of Assam, and Anwara Taimur, India's first female Muslim chief minister. Congress party's continuous rule in the state was brought to an end when Golap Borbora led the Janata party to victory in the 1978 elections. Borbora consequently became the first non-Congress chief minister of the state. Prior to that, Borbora was also the first non-Congress leader to be elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state.   Sarbananda Sonowal became the first chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party, when he was sworn in on 24 May 2016. On 9 May 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma was announced as the 15th chief minister of Assam.  

2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections were held in Assam on 9 April 2026 to elect 126 members of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The votes were counted and the results were declared on 4 May 2026 by the Election Commission of India.   After the election, the incumbent National Democratic Alliance formed the state government again after winning 75 out of 126 seats in the assembly, with Himanta Biswa Sarma becoming Chief Minister again

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
19.5.2026